Wednesday, August 14, 2019

AAR - Hale Farm 2019

To the Men and Women of Birney’s Division,

As I had command of the Birney’s Battalion this past weekend at Hale Farm I wanted to recap the highlights of the event as it was probably one of, if not the BEST Hale Farm experience I have had since my time with Birney’s Division.

We were camped on the wooded side of the area this year next to the main visitor’s center and entrance. Capt. Gibboney secured us a very comfortable and shaded area for our battalion in the open field adjacent to the visitor’s center. We were already blessed with low temperatures but the additional shade made it just that much better. This year we had the honor of having the 8 OVI from the National Regiment join us as part of our Birney’s Division and family for the weekend.
Saturday morning started off early as we participated in a morning tactical. I was happy to see the majority of our men make the decision to participate and give us a large fighting force to engage the Confederate Army. We were assigned as a battalion to push as battle line across the main battlefield to the far side and continue pushing the enemy back into their own camps that were in the village across the street. The Army of the Ohio brought their large battalion around and moved in and attacked from our right flank as we pushed forward. We were successful in defeating the Confederate Army on their own ”soil”. Armies were coordinated and communicating, everyone did as was planned from our Federal battle plan and it was, in my opinion one of, if not the BEST tactical experiences I have ever had…especially at Hale Farm. The men seemed to enjoy it very much for a change and were excited to participate.

This year’s battle for both Saturday and Sunday was the 1stBattle of Petersburg. The first day we were the first frontal assault on the Confederate breastworks and trenches set approx.. half way in the battle field with additional trenching at the far side of the field on the Confederate end. Our battalion drilled and use some new maneuvers including “By Company in to Line” and “Forward in to Line by Company…” to form our battle line that we have never tried before under my command. After our large Calvary overtook the guns on both flanks of the breastworks, we were able to advance and take them over, pushing the enemy back until their reinforcements arrived. General Baltzer ordered us to proceed forward over the breastworks, through the trenching and prepare our battle line on the other side as we help the line for The Army of the Ohio to reinforce us on the field on our right flank. We then pushed forward by battalion in a leap frog fashion back and forth a few times before our overall Federal Field Commander led us on a complete infantry frontal assault against the Confederate Army to the final entrenchment on the far side of the field. During these 2-3 final assaults, the Federal Army took heavy casualties and in the end the confederate army forced us to fall back and withdraw from the field before the battle ended.

We also participated in Battalion and Brigade Dress Parade as well as the traditional ration issue and those who participated in the morning tactical were treated by the Federal Command to ice cream sandwiches to show their appreciation.

This weekend was nothing short of EPIC for me. As I attempted to address the troops on Sunday after our final battle I became overwhelmed with emotion of shear pride for the battalion I had the honor to lead during this event. We drilled hard, we performed hard, we executed our orders and maneuvers hard, we engaged in our firing evolution hard, and at the end of the day, we played hard as a Birney’s family. As I have said and continue to say all the time, I could not have been any more proud of each and every member of the battalion on Birney’s as a whole regardless if you were in the rank and file as a soldier, in a support capacity in the field, a member of the staff or a civilian taking care of things for us back in camp. Your performance and professionalism in each of these capacities were and are beyond amazing as seen by and complimented to Gen Baltzer by the Federal Command staff and our other army counterparts participating with us. I thank my wing commanders for the hard work they do and responsibility I place upon them as well as the way they communicate and execute my orders on the field. LTC Kaminski and MAJ Wales are two of the finest field officers I have ever had the pleasure to serve with and we are lucky to have them with us. I thank my company commanders for continuously stepping up and executing flawlessly EVERYTHING we ask of you and your men every time we are together. You communicate with your companies, you never complain and you ALL do whatever is necessary to get the mission done and support me and the staff every step of the way. I thank the NCO’s and Privates that make every effort to participate, teach the new, and work so hard to keep this history alive. Without you, we would not have a division or a battalion and it is because of your loyalty and dedication we can continue. I thank our chaplain and ice angels for the hard work they do on AND off the field to support the troops and make sure we have what we need to be able to function in the weather on the field and provide us physical, and spiritual support. I thank the staff for their continued hard service in coordinating our participation in these events that make it possible for us to do what we love doing so much with all the behind the scenes meetings, phone calls logistical work etc. they do. To the civilians that join us and support our hobby and for all they work they do to feed and prepare us each day for our duties….I thank you. Thank you to General Baltzer (or Generally Colonel, Private etc.) for allowing me the continuous opportunities to command the men on the field and for your faith and trust in me lead. I am deeply honored and humbled every time. Lastly, I thank my Adjutant, Capt. Jeff Blanc, who is not only an amazing officer, but an amazing person as well. I would not be able to function as a commander without this man and it is because of his hard work and dedication that things get done administratively and logistically for our battalions. You have no idea how much personal time he gives in service to each of you to make our appearances possible. He is my trusted right hand and I thank you Jeff for ALL the COUNTLESS hours of service you give.

Thank you all for the great invitations and conversation around your company campfires, for your friendships and for your faith in me as well to be your commander. I look forward to the seasons ahead as we continue to show the reenacting community how great Birney’s Division is. I salute you all for a job WELL DONE!!!!!

COL R. BOUWHUIS
1st Battalion
Commanding

Monday, July 08, 2019

Birney's Division Staff Change Notice


Officers, NCO’s and Soldiers,

A few weeks back, I received a phone call from our Division Chief of Staff. Beyond our normal conversation, Col. Tent Boham informed me that currently life was very busy for him. For this reason he requested, and I agreed to, him taking a leave of absence for the remainder of the year from his duties on the staff. I have valued his friendship and counsel. I hope that his concerns are remedied and resolved satisfactorily. He did say that we might see him at a few events later this year if his issues are manageable.

Effective July 8, 2019, I will appoint Lt. Brandy Taylor, rbheald@zoominternet.net , adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, to fill the position made by Colonel Boham’s absence as the Divisional Chief of Staff. With this appointment, Lt. Taylor will be brevetted to the rank of Major. Major Taylor, like Colonel Boham, will be assisting me in the communication and coordination of events; making sure that the Division’s needs and concerns are addressed. 

Due to this adjustment in the Battalion and Divisional staff, all correspondence that needs to be routed through the battalions will be submitted to Captain Jeff Blanc, jvanceb@gmail.com.   
I look forward to seeing many of you at Hannastown later on this month. Many of you will be traveling north to Mumford at the Genesee Country Village, also in July.  I have not attending this event in many years, but recall it being a very quality event. Also, the deadline for early registration for Hale Farm is fast approaching.  I have been taking part in the phone conferences for this event. It will, as always, be another event you will want to attend.

Regards,
BG Paul Baltzer
Commanding
Birney’s Division